LAB TEST
Endometrial biopsy
Endometrial biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for examination.
How the Test is Performed
This procedure may be done with or without anesthesia. This is medicine that allows you to sleep during the procedure. You lie on your back with your feet in stirrups, similar to having a pelvic exam. Your health care provider gently inserts an instrument (speculum) into the vagina to hold it open so that your cervix…
How to Prepare for the Test
Before the test: Tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include blood thinners such as warfarin, clopidogrel, and aspirin. You may be asked to have a test to make sure you are not pregnant. In the 2 days before the procedure, do not use creams or other medicines in the vagina. Do NOT douche. (You…
How the Test will Feel
The instruments may feel cold. You may feel some cramping when the cervix is grasped. You may have some mild cramping as the instruments enter the uterus and the sample is collected. The discomfort is mild, though for some women it can be severe. However, the duration of the test and the pain are short.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is done to find the cause of: Abnormal menstrual periods (heavy, prolonged, or irregular bleeding) Bleeding after menopause Bleeding from taking hormone therapy medicines Thickened uterine lining seen on ultrasound Endometrial cancer
Normal Results
The biopsy is normal if the cells in the sample are not abnormal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal menstrual periods may be caused by: Uterine fibroids Fingerlike growths in the uterus (uterine polyps) Infection Hormone imbalance Endometrial cancer or precancer ( hyperplasia ) Other conditions under which the test may be performed: Abnormal bleeding if a woman is taking the breast cancer medicine tamoxifen…
Risks
Risks for endometrial biopsy include: Infection Causing a hole in (perforating) the uterus or tearing the cervix (rarely occurs) Prolonged bleeding Slight spotting and mild cramping for a few days
References
Beard JM, Osborn J. Common office procedures. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 28. Soliman PT, Lu KH. Malignant diseases of the uterus: endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial carcinoma, sarcoma: diagnosis and management. In: Gershenson DM,…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 23/08/2023).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.